Belgium Christmas markets 2026: The 10 most beautiful Christmas markets 

The best Christmas markets in Belgium run from late November 2026 through early January 2027 and are located across Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Liège. You can easily get to these markets by taking the Eurostar from London, driving via Le Shuttle, or by planning a festive Euro winter road trip. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the top 10 Belgium Christmas markets, including confirmed (and expected) 2026 dates, opening hours, attractions, festive food, and practical tips for combining multiple cities by train. Stay connected on your Belgium Christmas market tour with Holafly’s eSIM for Belgium. 

Stay connected across Belgium with unlimited data

Get instant internet access in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and beyond. Easy QR code setup with 24/7 support.

Are the Belgium Christmas markets worth visiting?

Belgium transforms into a winter wonderland every December. While Germany is famous for traditional markets and France for Strasbourg, Belgium stands out for its variety and proximity. Among the best places to visit in December, few pack this many markets into such a small area. 

You can easily travel between medieval market squares, historic canals, and buzzing modern city centres within an hour or two by train. Enjoy iconic local festive treats such as warm Liège waffles, spiced speculoos, artisanal chocolates, and comforting glasses of jenever (Belgian gin) or rich Belgian Christmas beers.

The 10 best Christmas markets in Belgium (2026 dates & highlights)

1. Bruges Christmas market (Winter Glow/Wintergloed)

The city’s Winter Glow festival features two main Christmas market sites: the Market Square (Grote Markt), set against the famous Belfry, and Simon Stevinplein, which focuses on craft products and local makers.

Beyond the standard market stalls, you can enjoy a romantic ice rink floating on Minnewater (Lake of Love) along with a Light Experience Trail. This self-guided walking tour includes illuminated installations and projections that light up quiet cobblestone pathways, courtyards, and scenic canals.

2. Ghent Christmas market (Gentse Winterfeesten)

The Gentse Winterfeesten winds through the historic centre, stretching from Sint-Baafsplein past the Belfry to the Korenmarkt. One of Ghent’s main highlights is the giant Ferris wheel set opposite St. Bavo’s Cathedral, offering unbeatable views over Ghent’s famous three towers.

Visitors can roller-skate under a high timber roof on the covered mobile ice rink at the City Pavilion (Stadshal) or visit the nearby Gravensteen castle. During December, this 10th-century fortress transforms into a magical Winter Wonder Castle, complete with festive decor, candlelit rooms, and a cosy winter bar in the keep.  

3. Antwerp Christmas market (Kerstmarkt Antwerpen)

On Groenplaats, visitors can skate around an open-air ice rink built around the statue of Peter Paul Rubens. The Grote Markt features a giant illuminated Christmas tree, a historic carousel, and chalets framed by Renaissance guildhouses. Over at Steenplein, you can ride the Ferris wheel or gather at the covered winter bar overlooking the river to enjoy hot drinks, live acoustic music, and views of the medieval Het Steen castle. 

4. Hasselt Christmas market (Hasselt Winterland)

The market’s main appeal is the grand covered ice-skating rink built around a central winter bar, alongside a giant slide and classic funfair rides. Children can visit Santa’s House, a detailed replica of his home in Rovaniemi, Finland, to meet Santa Claus. The event also houses a large covered Christmas market with heated lounges serving warm meals, German glühwein, and Belgian gin. 

5. Mechelen Christmas market (Anderstad Wintert)

The cosy market winds through the city’s cobblestone historic core, centering on the Grote Markt, Vismarkt, and Haverwerf. Around 50 wooden chalets line the pedestrian routes, offering crafts, handmade gifts, and local food vendors selling warm Flemish stew, savory meatballs, fresh waffles, and winter craft beers from nearby breweries.

The market is framed by dramatic historic backdrop views of the UNESCO-recognized St. Rumbold’s Tower. Enjoy ice skating on the covered rink, listen to live festive choir performances across the squares, or warm up in pop-up winter bars.

6. Leuven Christmas market (Leuvense Kerstmarkt)

Leuven places a strong emphasis on artisan craftsmen, handmade winter gifts, and high-quality food. Walk through a cosy life-sized winter pine forest display, relax by outdoor fire pits with hot mulled wine, and sample local craft beers. In the evenings, candlelit guided walking tours take you past the intricate Gothic Town Hall and through the UNESCO-listed Great Beguinage. 

7. Liège Christmas market (Village de Noël)

Holding the title of the oldest and largest Christmas village in Belgium, Liège’s Village de Noël spreads over 200 chalets across Place Saint-Lambert and Place Cathédrale. It runs like a real village, complete with its own council, an honorary mayor, and festive “citizens”.

The emphasis here is on festive food and lively Wallonian hospitality. There is a toboggan slope where you can sled down a synthetic snow hill, a large ice rink, and chalets serving local specialities like hot spiced wine, fresh Liège waffles, smoked sausages, and regional cheeses.

8. Namur Christmas market (Repère de Noël / Marché de Noël de Namur)

Set in the capital of Wallonia where the Sambre and Meuse rivers meet, the Namur Christmas market offers a family-friendly festive atmosphere framed by the city’s historic Citadelle. Spanning Place d’Armes, Place Maurice Servais, and Place de l’Ange, the market showcases around 70 chalets filled with local crafts and regional delicacies.

You can explore the Gourmet Village on Place Maurice Servais to sample regional Wallonian food, ride the panoramic giant Ferris wheel for views over the river and Citadel, or skate on the open-air ice rink. The season concludes with a traditional midnight fireworks display at the river confluence on New Year’s Eve.

9. Kortrijk Christmas market (Winter in Kortrijk)

Located in West Flanders near the French border, Kortrijk transforms its historic centre into a holiday wonderland during its Winter in Kortrijk celebrations. The festival centres around the Grote Markt, Schouwburgplein, and the Leie riverbanks.

Kortrijk’s winter park features a covered ice rink, funfair rides, cosy chalets serving hot winter drinks, and “Santa’s Land” (Land van de Kerstman) for children. Visitors can also follow “The Chocolate Trail” through the city’s chocolate shops or visit nearby historic breweries for seasonal tastings.

10. Brussels Christmas market (Plaisirs d’Hiver/Winter Wonders)

As the largest Christmas market in Belgium, Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’Hiver) spans over two kilometers through the heart of the capital. The festive trail stretches across the Grand Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, and Marché aux Poissons. Over 200 wooden chalets line the cobbled streets, selling handmade crafts, glass ornaments, and winter street food.

Every evening, the iconic UNESCO-listed Grand Place comes alive with a magnificent 360-degree sound and light show projected onto the guildhalls. You can ride the 55-meter giant Ferris wheel at Place Marché aux Poissons for sweeping views of the city skyline, test your skills on the large covered ice-skating rink at Place De Brouckère, or warm up with hot mulled wine in one of the winter pop-up lounges.

Practical guide to planning your trip

Getting around Belgium by train

Belgium’s rail operator, SNCB/NMBS, provides efficient and frequent services connecting all major Christmas market cities. You can easily check schedules and buy tickets on the official rail app. Read our detailed guide on train travel in Europe to familiarise yourself with routes and navigation. 

Here are typical train travel times between top destinations:

• Brussels to Ghent: 35 minutes
• Ghent to Bruges: 25 minutes
• Brussels to Antwerp: 40 minutes
• Brussels to Liège: 50 minutes

Suggested 4-day Belgium Christmas market itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Brussels
  • Check into your hotel and explore the Grand Place light show.
  • Stroll through Marché aux Poissons and enjoy fresh seafood chalets.
• Day 2: Day trip to Ghent & Bruges
  • Morning: Train to Ghent (35 min). Explore Gentse Winterfeesten and Gravensteen Castle.
  • Afternoon/evening: Train to Bruges (25 min). Experience the Winter Glow light trail and lakeside ice rink.
• Day 3: Antwerp
  • Take a short train ride to Antwerp. Explore Groenplaats and Grote Markt, followed by Christmas shopping on the Meir Avenue.
• Day 4: Liège & Departure
  • Head to Liège to sample Wallonian festive food at the Village de Noël before returning home.

Useful holiday tips: Payments, weather & opening days

• Payments: Almost all chalets accept contactless card payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. However, carrying €20-30 in cash is useful for mug deposits, which most markets refund when you return the cup.
• Weather: Expect cold, crisp winter days with temperatures ranging between 2°C and 7°C which is mild compared to most Europe winter destinations. Pack warm layers, a windproof coat, gloves, and comfortable waterproof walking shoes for cobblestone streets.
• Public Holiday Closures: Christmas Market stalls usually close early (around 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM) on 24 December, while some stalls remain closed on Christmas Day (25 December). Always check official event sites before heading out.

Never lose signal during your European holiday

Stay connected while checking live train timetables, downloading map routes, and sharing photos online with a fast Europe eSIM.

Stay connected in Belgium with Holafly

When navigating festive train schedules, looking up market map routes, or booking museum tickets on the go, having reliable mobile data gives you total peace of mind.

Buying a local SIM card after landing often means waiting in line at mobile stores or dealing with complex registration processes. With a digital Belgium eSIM from Holafly, you can connect to top local Belgian networks within minutes of arrival.

For longer winter journeys across multiple borders, a broader Europe eSIM ensures uninterrupted high-speed internet, whether you are visiting Belgium, France, or Germany. If you plan to visit neighbouring markets, check out our guides to the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Every Holafly eSIM plan includes 24/7 customer support, fast speeds, and Always On 1 GB of monthly backup data at no added cost, so you always stay connected throughout your travels. 

Peace of mind before you fly

Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.

Buy an eSIM for Belgium

Frequently asked questions about Belgium Christmas markets

Disclaimer: Event dates, opening hours, and transport schedules in this guide are accurate as of October 2026 and are subject to change by local city councils. Always verify details on official city tourism portals prior to traveling.

Plans that may interest you

eSIM China

eSIM Singapore

Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

Read full bio

Related reading